This invention discloses a system for providing an image of at least a portion of a fetus in utero including an imager providing image data for a volume including at least a portion of a fetus in utero, an at least partially computer controlled image processing algorithm based segmenter for defining geometrical boundaries of various objects in the volume including at least a portion of a fetus in utero, and a sculpting tool, utilizing the geometrical boundaries of at least some of the various objects defined by the segmenter, for selectably removing image data relating to at least portions of the objects in order to provide a desired non-occluded image of at least a portion of the fetus in utero based on the image data.
A method for providing an image of at least a portion of a fetus in utero is also disclosed.
|
11. A method for providing an image of at least a portion of a fetus in utero comprising the steps of:
providing image data for a volume including at least a portion of a fetus in utero; utilizing an at least partially computer controlled image processing algorithm based segmenter to define geometrical boundaries of various objects in said volume as well as including said at least a portion of a fetus in utero; and utilizing the geometrical boundaries of at least some of said various objects defined by said segmenter to selectably remove image data relating to at least portions of said objects in order to provide a desired non-occluded image of said at least a portion of said fetus in utero based on said image data.
1. A system for providing an image of at least a portion of a fetus in utero comprising:
an imager providing image data for a volume including at least a portion of a fetus in utero; an at least partially computer controlled image processing algorithm based segmenter for defining geometrical boundaries of various objects in said volume as well as including said at least a portion of a fetus in utero; and a sculpting tool, utilizing the geometrical boundaries of at least some of said various objects defined by said segmenter, for selectably removing image data relating to at least portions of said objects in order to provide a desired non-occluded image of said at least a portion of said fetus in utero based on said image data.
2. A system for providing an image of at least a portion of a fetus in utero according to
3. A system for providing an image of at least a portion of a fetus in utero according to
4. A system for providing an image of at least a portion of a fetus in utero according to
5. A system for providing an image of at least a portion of a fetus in utero according to
6. A system for providing an image of at least a portion of a fetus in utero according to
7. A system for providing an image of at least a portion of a fetus in utero according to
8. A system for providing an image of at least a portion of a fetus in utero according to
9. A system for providing an image of at least a portion of a fetus in utero according to
10. A system for providing an image of at least a portion of a fetus in utero according to
12. A method for providing an image of at least a portion of a fetus in utero according to
13. A method for providing an image of at least a portion of a fetus in utero according to
14. A method for providing an image of at least a portion of a fetus in utero according to
15. A method for providing an image of at least a portion of a fetus in utero according to
16. A method for providing an image of at least a portion of a fetus in utero according to
17. A method for providing an image of at least a portion of a fetus in utero according to
18. A method for providing an image of at least a portion of a fetus in utero according to
19. A method for providing an image of at least a portion of a fetus in utero according to
20. A method for providing an image of at least a portion of a fetus in utero according to
|
The present invention relates to facial imaging generally and more particularly to facial imaging in utero.
Various techniques are known for facial imaging in utero using ultrasonic technology. The quality and completeness of such images is generally rather non-uniform and depends inter alia on the position of the face of a fetus relative to ultra-sound imaging apparatus. Conventional systems which provide facial imaging in utero are known inter alia from the following publications:
U.S. Pat. No. 5,239,591;
InViVo-ScanNT of the Fraunhofer Institut fuer Graphische Datenverarbeitung IGD in Darmstadt, Germany, commercially available;
3-D Ultrasound--Acquisition Methods Details, of Life Imaging Systems, Inc. of London, Ontario
UCSD radiologists are working on a new ultrasound technology that's guaranteed to produce much clearer images in three dimensions. by Kate Deely, UCSD Perspectives, Spring 1999;
Product literature relating to the following products:
Imaging software available from A1 Alpha Space, Inc, of Laguna Hills, Calif., U.S.A. and from Echotech 3-D of Hallbergmoos, Germany;
HDI1500 commercially available from ATL--Advanced Technology Laboratories, Bothell, Wash., U.S.A.;
Voluson 530D commercially available from Kretztechnik AG of Zipf, Austria and from Medison America of Pleasanton, Calif., U.S.A. This ultrasound system includes a scalpel feature which enables manual removal of occlusions blocking full visualization of a fetal face.
L3-Di commercially available from Life Imaging Systems Inc. of London, Ontario, Canada;
Echo-Scan, Echo-View and Compact3-D commercially available from TomTec Imaging Systems GmbH of Unterschleissheim, Germany;
NetralVUS, commercially available from ScImage, Inc. of Los Altos, Calif. 94022, U.S.A.;
3-Scape commercially available from Siemens AG of Erlangen, Germany;
Vitrea, commercially available from Vital Images, Inc of Minneapolis, Minn., U.S.A.;
VoxarLib, commercially available from Voxar Ltd. of Edinburgh, UK;
LOGIC 700 MR commercially available from GE Ultrasound.
The present invention seeks to provide an improved system for fetal face imaging in utero.
There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a system for providing an image of at least a portion of a fetus in utero including an imager providing image data for a volume including at least a portion of a fetus in utero, an at least partially computer controlled image processing algorithm based segmenter for defining geometrical boundaries of various objects in the volume including at least a portion of a fetus in utero, and a sculpting tool, utilizing the geometrical boundaries of at least some of the various objects defined by the segmenter, for selectably removing at least portions of the objects in order to provide a desired non-occluded image of at least a portion of the fetus in utero, based on the image data.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the imager is an ultrasound imager.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the image data contains speckles.
Preferably the segmenter is fully automatic. Alternatively the segmenter is semi-automatic.
Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the segmenter operates substantially in real time.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the segmenter defines geometrical boundaries in at least one slice of the volume by employing previously acquired information relating to at least another slice of the volume.
Preferably the segmenter operates in a slice-by-slice manner.
There is also provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a method for providing an image of at least a portion of a fetus in utero, the method including providing image data for a volume including at least a portion of a fetus in utero, utilizing an at least partially computer controlled image processing algorithm based segmenter to define geometrical boundaries of various objects in the volume including at least a portion of a fetus in utero, and utilizing the geometrical boundaries of at least some of said various objects defined by the segmenter to selectably remove image data relating to at least portions of the objects in order to provide a desired non-occluded image of at least a portion of the fetus in utero, based on the image data.
Further in accordance with a preferred embedment of the present invention the method employs ultrasound.
Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the image data contains speckles.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the segmenter operates fully automatically. Alternatively the segmenter operates semi-automatically.
Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the segmenter operates substantially in real time.
Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the segmenter defines geometrical boundaries in at least one slice of the volume by employing previously acquired information relating to at least another slice of the volume.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the segmenter operates in a slice-by-slice manner.
The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:
Reference is now made to
As seen in
Imaging software available from A1 Alpha Space, Inc, of Laguna Hills, Calif., U.S.A. and from Echotech 3-D of Hallbergmoos, Germany;
HDI1500 commercially available from ATL--Advanced Technology Laboratories, Bothell, Wash., U.S.A.;
Voluson 530D commercially available from Kretztechnik AG of Zipf, Austria and from Medison America of Pleasanton, Calif., U.S.A.
L3-Di commercially available from Life Imaging Systems Inc. of London, Ontario, Canada;
Echo-Scan, Echo-View and Compact3-D commercially available from TomTec Imaging Systems GmbH of Unterschleissheim, Germany;
NetralVUS, commercially available from ScImage, Inc. of Los Altos, Calif. 94022, U.S.A.;
3-Scape commercially available from Siemens AG of Erlangen, Germany;
Vitrea, commercially available from Vital Images, Inc of Minneapolis, Minn., U.S.A.;
VoxarLib, commercially available from Voxar Ltd. of Edinburgh, UK;
Conventional 2-D ultrasound images are also available from the following sources: ATL--Advanced Technology Laboratories, Bothell, Wash., U.S.A., Siemens AG, Acuson Corporation of Mountain View, Calif., U.S.A., GE Medical Systems of Milwaukee, Wis., U.S.A., Toshiba America Medical Systems of Tustin, Calif., U.S.A. and Hewlett-Packard Medical Group of Palo Alto, Calif.
It is appreciated that most currently available volume imagers operate on a slice-by-slice basis. It is anticipated, however, that volume imagers which do not operate on a slice-by-slice basis will become available in the future and will also be useful in the present invention.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, image data from volume imager 10 is supplied to a sculpting subsystem 12 preferably embodied in a workstation 13 including a computer controlled image processing algorithm based volume segmenter, preferably a computer controlled 3-D edge detection algorithm based volume segmenter 14. The volume imager 10 provides a volume image which may be acquired directly or by acquiring a series of 2-D images and construction a volume image therefrom. Typically segmenter 14 receives the output of volume imager 10 in 3-D form and enables a workstation operator 17 using that output, to readily locate and isolate a fetal face image and, as necessary to remove parts of the image which occlude a full view of the fetal face from a desired perspective.
Segmenter 14, as will be described hereinbelow in detail, is operative in a computer-assisted manner, preferably under the control of the operator 17, to differentiate between various body parts and to distinguish the fetus or the fetal face from its environment, such as for example, from the amniotic fluid in which it resides and the surrounding placenta and uterus.
Preferably modified or annotated image data from segmenter 14 is employed by a 3-D sculpting tool 15. It is appreciated that sculpting tool 15 may be used not only to remove occlusions but also to otherwise enhance the fetal face image. It is additionally appreciated that there may be cases where operator input in the operation of sculpting tool 15 may be unnecessary. In such a case, the sculpting tool 15 may be entirely computer controlled and operated.
It is appreciated that sculpting subsystem 12 may be integrated in the same computer platform which serves to control the operation of volume imager 10.
The output of sculpting subsystem 12, typically in the form of modified or annotated image data, is preferably supplied to a visualization subsystem 16, which may comprise, for example, a video display, a video recorder or transmitter, or a printer or even a three dimensional model generator. It is appreciated that the visualization subsystem may include image processing circuitry and software for desired image enhancement or modification.
Reference is now made to
As seen in
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, image data from volume imager 20 is supplied to a sculpting subsystem 22 preferably embodied in a workstation 23 including a computer controlled image processing algorithm based slice-by-slice segmenter, preferably a computer controlled slice-by-slice segmenter based on 2-D or 3-D edge detection 24. Typically segmenter 24 receives the output of volume imager 20 in either 2-D or 3-D form and enables a workstation operator 27, using that output, to readily locate and isolate a fetal face image and, as necessary to remove parts of the image which occlude a full view of the fetal face from a desired perspective.
Segmenter 24, as will be described hereinbelow in detail, is operative slice-by-slice in a computer-assisted manner, preferably under the control of the operator 27, to differentiate between various body parts and to distinguish the fetus or the fetal face from its environment, such as for example, from the amniotic fluid in which it resides and the surrounding placenta and uterus.
Preferably modified or annotated image data from segmenter 24 is employed by a 3-D sculpting tool 25. It is appreciated that sculpting tool 25 may be used not only to remove occlusions but also to otherwise enhance the fetal face image. It is additionally appreciated that there may be cases where operator input in the operation of sculpting tool 25 may be unnecessary. In such a case, the sculpting tool 25 may be entirely computer controlled and operated.
It is appreciated that sculpting subsystem 22 may be integrated in the same computer platform which serves to control the operation of volume imager 20.
The output of sculpting subsystem 22, typically in the form of modified or annotated image data, is preferably supplied to a visualization subsystem 26, which may comprise, for example, a video display, a video recorder or transmitter, or a printer or even a three dimensional model generator. It is appreciated that the visualization subsystem may include image processing circuitry and software for desired image enhancement or modification.
Reference is now made to
As seen in
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, image data from 2-D imager 30 is supplied to a 2-D sculpting subsystem 32 preferably embodied in a workstation 33 including a computer controlled 2-D image processing algorithm based segmenter, preferably a computer controlled slice-by-slice segmenter based on a 2-D edge detection algorithm 34. Typically segmenter 34 receives the output of 2-D imager 30 in 2-D form and makes it possible, with or without operator (37) intervention, to readily locate and isolate a fetal face image and, as necessary, to remove parts of the image which occlude a full view of the fetal face from a desired perspective.
Segmenter 34, as will be described hereinbelow in detail, is operative slice-by-slice in a computer-assisted manner, preferably under the control of an operator 37, to differentiate between various body parts and to distinguish the fetus or the fetal face from its environment, such as for example, from the amniotic fluid in which it resides and the surrounding placenta and uterus.
Preferably modified or annotated image data from segmenter 34 is employed by a 2-D sculpting tool 35. It is appreciated that sculpting tool 35 may be used not only to remove occlusions but also to otherwise enhance the fetal face image. It is additionally appreciated that there may be cases where operator input in the operation of sculpting tool 35 may be unnecessary. In such a case, the sculpting tool 35 may be entirely computer controlled and operated.
The output of sculpting tool 35 is preferably supplied to a volume constructor 36 which is operative to construct a volume image from a plurality of individual slices of two-dimensional image data, while preserving the segmentation and sculpting thereof.
It is appreciated that sculpting subsystem 32 may be integrated in the same computer platform which serves to control the operation of 2-D imager 30.
The output of sculpting subsystem 32, typically in the form of modified or annotated image data, is preferably supplied to a visualization subsystem 38, which may comprise, for example, a video display, a video recorder or transmitter, or a printer or even a three dimensional model generator. It is appreciated that the visualization subsystem may include image processing circuitry and software for desired image enhancement or modification.
Reference is now made to
As seen in
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, image data from 2-D imager 40 is supplied to a sculpting subsystem 42 preferably embodied in a workstation 43 including a computer controlled 2-D image processing algorithm based segmenter, preferably a computer controlled slice-by-slice segmenter based on a 2-D edge detection algorithm 44. Typically segmenter 44 receives the output of 2-D imager 40 in 2-D form and makes it possible to readily locate and isolate a fetal face image and, as necessary, to remove parts of the image which occlude a full view of the fetal face from a desired perspective.
Segmenter 44, as will be described hereinbelow in detail, is operative slice-by-slice in a computer-assisted manner, preferably under the control of an operator 47, to differentiate between various body parts and to distinguish the fetus or the fetal face from its environment, such as for example, from the amniotic fluid in which it resides and the surrounding placenta and uterus.
Preferably modified or annotated image data from segmenter 44 supplied to a volume constructor 45, which is operative to construct a volume image from a plurality of individual slices of two-dimensional image data, while preserving the segmentation thereof.
The output of volume constructor 45 is preferably supplied to a 3-D sculpting tool 46. It is appreciated that 3-D sculpting tool 46 may be used not only to remove occlusions but also to otherwise enhance the fetal face image. It is additionally appreciated that there may be cases where operator input in the sculpting tool 46 may be unnecessary or obviated by operation of the segmenter 44. In such a case, the sculpting tool 46 may be entirely computer controlled and operated.
It is appreciated that sculpting subsystem 42 may be integrated in the same computer platform which serves to control the operation of 2-D imager 40.
The output of sculpting subsystem 42, typically in the form of modified or annotated image data, is preferably supplied to a visualization subsystem 48, which may comprise, for example, a video display, a video recorder or transmitter, or a printer or even a three dimensional model generator. It is appreciated that the visualization subsystem may include image processing circuitry and software for desired image enhancement or modification.
Reference is now made to
The operation of segmenter 14 of sculpting subsystem 12 (
Following 3-D image segmentation, sculpting tool 15 (
Reference is now made to
In this embodiment, the volume image may be converted into a series of 2-D image slices. These slices may correspond to the 2-D image slices originally acquired or alternatively may be sliced in different planes.
The operation of segmenter 24 of sculpting subsystem 22 (
Following image segmentation, 3-D sculpting tool 25 (
Reference is now made to
The operation of segmenter 34 of sculpting subsystem 32 (
Following image segmentation, 2-D sculpting tool 35 (
Reference is now made to
The operation of segmenter 44 of sculpting subsystem 42 (
Following image segmentation, a volume image is constructed by volume constructor 45 (
Reference is now made to
As seen in
Following surface edge enhancement, a balloon is defined which is centered on a region of the image which is of interest. The balloon may be defined with the assistance of operator generated markings on the 3-D image, but does not require such markings.
The balloon may be subsequently automatically expanded or shrunk until its boundaries lie on or near enhanced edges of the 3-D image or on operator input markings, which may be supplied in the course of 3-D segmentation and not only prior thereto. The final balloon configuration defines one or more surface boundaries. An example of progressive shrinkage of the balloon about a fetal face is illustrated in
On Active Contour Models and Balloons, Laurent D. Cohen, CVGIP: IMAGE UNDERSTANDING, Vol. 53, No. 2, March, pp 211-218, 1991;
Finite-Element Methods for Active Contour Models and Balloons for 2-D and 3-D Images, Laurent D. Cohen and Isaac Cohen, IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON PATTERN ANALYSIS AND MACHINE INTELLIGENCE, Vol. 15, No. 11, November, 1993, pp 1131-1147;
Snakes, Active Contours, and Deformable Models http://www.wpi.edu/18dima/ummed/presentation/index.html.
The resultant one or more surface boundaries are superimposed on the 3-D image. An operator may carry out a visual confirmation check to satisfy himself that the indicated boundaries are indeed correct. If so, a closed surface boundary superimposed on the 3-D image is output.
Should the operator not be satisfied with the indicated surface boundary or boundaries he can carry out a manual correction or may additionally or alternatively have the boundaries recalculated by edge detection based segmentation circuitry 60. Whichever method is chosen, the corrected boundaries are superimposed on the 3-D image and a further visual check is conducted repeatedly until the operator is satisfied with the indicated boundaries.
Reference is now made to
Following the noise suppression steps described above, a plane enhancement filter is applied to the pre-processed image, thus producing a surface edge enhanced volume image output.
Reference is now made to
The plane enhancement operator operates upon a volumetric image and provides a grey-level volumetric image output in which the edges or ridges appear as enhanced surfaces in three dimensions. Stated more generally, the operator provides a volumetric image representation of the intensity of the surface edge property at each image voxel.
Reference is now made to
Thereafter, fully or partially computerized 2-D segmentation is carried out using edge detection techniques in accordance with an algorithm which is described hereinbelow. The segmenter provides an output which may be stored while additional 2-D image slices are segmented as described hereinabove.
For each subsequent 2-D image, the output and/or other characteristics of at least one preceding 2-D image are used as initial markings or in any other suitable manner for determining or partially determining the boundary. It is appreciated that the image may include more than one boundary. Once all of the required 2-D images have been segmented, a segmentation output is provided to the sculpting tool.
The segmentation output defines a closed boundary or boundaries distinguishing portions of the image which are of interest and portions of the image which it is desired to discard.
The 2-D segmentation step shown in
Initial markings or the preceding boundary are superimposed on the image and a visual check of the boundary may then be carried out. If the boundary appears to need correction and a manual correction is called for, a manual correction is carried out. If, however the boundary does not appear to need correction, it is preferably stored. If the slice being segmented is the last 2-D image slice to be segmented in the 3-D image, the volume having the output boundary or boundaries superimposed thereover is output. If the slice being segmented is not the last 2-D slice to be segmented in the 3-D image, a further 2-D slice is selected. The previous boundary is preferably defined as an initial boundary for the further slice.
If, however, the boundary or boundaries are found to need correction and manual correction is selected, a manual correction module applies a manual correction to the boundary or boundaries superimposed on the image. If manual correction is not called for, computerized correction is typically effected by edge detection based segmentation circuitry 90.
The operation of edge detection based segmentation circuitry 90 may be summarized as follows: The boundary or boundaries initially superimposed on the image are supplied to circuitry 90 separately from the image and are broadened in order to define a strip-shaped region or regions of interest (ROI). Edge enhancement is performed on the image, preferably, but not necessarily, within the ROI. As seen in
The foregoing segmentation method continues until it is decided that the boundary on the last 2-D image of the volume does not require correction.
Reference is now made to
As seen in
Reference is now made to
The operation illustrated in
Reference is now made to
Reference is also made to
Optionally, not only the configuration of the previously determined boundary for another slice or other slices, but also some or all of the above-listed characteristics of the said slice or slices, may be employed in subsequently determining the boundary for the current slice.
For the sake of conciseness, in view of the detailed nature of the steps of the operation indicated in
Reference is now made to
The overall operation of the present invention may be understood from a consideration of
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of various elements described hereinabove as well as modifications and variations thereof which would occur to a person skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description and which are not in the prior art.
Berman, Michael, Soferman, Ziv
Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
10390795, | Mar 07 2012 | Samsung Medison Co., Ltd. | Image processing apparatus and method |
6674877, | Feb 03 2000 | Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC | System and method for visually tracking occluded objects in real time |
6939301, | Mar 16 2001 | Automatic volume measurements: an application for 3D ultrasound | |
7378846, | Jun 29 2004 | Fonar Corporation | Magnetic resonance imaging method and apparatus for scanning a child |
7561725, | Mar 12 2003 | SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG | Image segmentation in a three-dimensional environment |
7620234, | Oct 06 2000 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image processing apparatus and method for generating a three-dimensional model of an object from a collection of images of the object recorded at different viewpoints and segmented using semi-automatic segmentation techniques |
8352059, | Apr 19 2007 | Damvig Develop Future ApS | Method for the manufacturing of a reproduction of an encapsulated head of a foetus and objects obtained by the method |
Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
5239591, | Jul 03 1991 | U.S. Philips Corp.; NORTH AMERICAN PHILIPS CORPORATION A CORP OF DELAWARE | Contour extraction in multi-phase, multi-slice cardiac MRI studies by propagation of seed contours between images |
5396890, | Sep 30 1993 | Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc | Three-dimensional scan converter for ultrasound imaging |
5454371, | Nov 29 1993 | London Health Sciences Centre | Method and system for constructing and displaying three-dimensional images |
5538004, | Feb 28 1995 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N V | Method and apparatus for tissue-centered scan conversion in an ultrasound imaging system |
5706816, | Jul 17 1995 | Hitachi Aloka Medical, Ltd | Image processing apparatus and image processing method for use in the image processing apparatus |
5754618, | Dec 22 1995 | Matsushita Electric Industrial | Image processing apparatus and image processing method for favorably enhancing continuous boundaries which are affected by noise |
5766129, | Jun 13 1996 | Hitachi Aloka Medical, Ltd | Ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and method of forming an ultrasound image by the apparatus |
5954653, | May 07 1997 | General Electric Company | Method and apparatus for automatically enhancing contrast in projected ultrasound image |
6059727, | Jun 15 1995 | REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, THE | Method and apparatus for composition and display of three-dimensional image from two-dimensional ultrasound scan data |
6106471, | Jun 04 1998 | GE Medical Systems Kretztechnik GmbH & Co oHG | Procedure for an examination of objects by the means of ultrasound waves |
6251072, | Feb 19 1999 | JOHN P ROBARTS RESEARCH INSTITUTE, THE | Semi-automated segmentation method for 3-dimensional ultrasound |
Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
Jul 08 1999 | SOFERMAN, ZIV | BIOMEDICOM, CREATIVE BIOMEDICAL COMPUTING LTD | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 010109 | /0813 | |
Jul 08 1999 | BERMAN, MICHAEL | BIOMEDICOM, CREATIVE BIOMEDICAL COMPUTING LTD | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 010109 | /0813 | |
Jul 12 1999 | Biomedicom, Creative Biomedical Computing Ltd. | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / | |||
Jul 24 2011 | BIOMEDICOM CREATIVE BIO-MEDICAL COMPUTING LTD ALSO KNOWN AS BIOMEDICOM LTD | GLUZMAN, YIGAL, MR | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 026643 | /0163 | |
Jul 24 2011 | BIOMEDICOM CREATIVE BIO-MEDICAL COMPUTING LTD ALSO KNOWN AS BIOMEDICOM LTD | DAVIDSON, LIMOR, MRS | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 026643 | /0163 | |
Nov 12 2011 | GLUZMAN, YIGAL | SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO , LTD | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 027675 | /0001 | |
Nov 12 2011 | DAVIDSON, LIMOR | SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO , LTD | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 027675 | /0001 |
Date | Maintenance Fee Events |
Mar 01 2006 | REM: Maintenance Fee Reminder Mailed. |
Mar 26 2006 | M2554: Surcharge for late Payment, Small Entity. |
Mar 26 2006 | M2551: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 4th Yr, Small Entity. |
Mar 22 2010 | REM: Maintenance Fee Reminder Mailed. |
Aug 13 2010 | EXPX: Patent Reinstated After Maintenance Fee Payment Confirmed. |
Aug 30 2011 | M1558: Surcharge, Petition to Accept Pymt After Exp, Unintentional. |
Aug 30 2011 | M2552: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 8th Yr, Small Entity. |
Aug 30 2011 | PMFP: Petition Related to Maintenance Fees Filed. |
Sep 26 2011 | PMFG: Petition Related to Maintenance Fees Granted. |
Mar 12 2012 | STOL: Pat Hldr no Longer Claims Small Ent Stat |
Sep 18 2012 | ASPN: Payor Number Assigned. |
Feb 12 2014 | M1553: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 12th Year, Large Entity. |
Date | Maintenance Schedule |
Aug 13 2005 | 4 years fee payment window open |
Feb 13 2006 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Aug 13 2006 | patent expiry (for year 4) |
Aug 13 2008 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 4) |
Aug 13 2009 | 8 years fee payment window open |
Feb 13 2010 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Aug 13 2010 | patent expiry (for year 8) |
Aug 13 2012 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 8) |
Aug 13 2013 | 12 years fee payment window open |
Feb 13 2014 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Aug 13 2014 | patent expiry (for year 12) |
Aug 13 2016 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 12) |